Old Essex County Jail

The brick facility contains approximately 20 structures of different sizes spanning from 1837 to 1930s, with a central two-story square building.

Architect John Haviland designed this Greek Revival prison in 1837, introducing modern features such as indoor plumbing before the White House received similar installations.

The prison complex represents the evolution of American incarceration methods, shifting from combined confinement of all inmates to more organized separation systems.

The abandoned facility, closed since 1971, stands at the intersection of Newark and New Streets, containing over 300 former cells across multiple buildings.

The structure served as a filming location for Malcolm X in 1991, the same year it received designation in the National Register of Historic Places.

Location: Newark

Inception: 1837

Architects: John Haviland

Official opening: 1837

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture

Made from material: brick

Address: 271-285 New Street, Newark, NJ, 07103

Website: https://oldessexcountyjail.org

GPS coordinates: 40.74440,-74.18280

Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:24